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Southwest Michigan

Weather

Conditions have
been cool, dry and windy over the past week. Rainfall on April 25 brought
widespread totals around 0.25 inches. Field conditions prior to yesterday’s
(April 25) rain had dried enough for field operations to resume (following last
weekend’s rainfall). Cold, nighttime temperatures (with several light frosts)
continue to keep soil temperatures around the 50°F mark. Planting for corn and
soybeans has resumed, but the cold conditions have kept many growers wondering
if they should wait a bit to put the majority of their corn and soybeans in the
ground.

Rainfall totals from
this storms across the 13 stations in southwest Michigan averaged 0.55 inches
over the last seven days. Overall, soil moisture remains favorable for field
work. Average precipitation across the region is down about 0.5 inches over the
last four weeks compared to the longer term normal. The 6-10 day outlook from NOAA have southwest Michigan in the above average
precipitation range, while the 8-14 day outlook shows drier than normal conditions.

Growing degree days (GDD). We are currently averaging 571 GDDs base 41 since March 1in the southwest region. We generally suggest harvesting first cutting
alfalfa around the 750 GDD mark for top quality dairy forage. We have
accumulated on average 51 GDDs base 50 since April 15. It generally takes
around 125 GDDs base 50 for corn to emerge. Our longer term average for the
region is about 4.5 GDDs per day base 50 over this time period. The 6-10 day
temperature outlook from NOAA has southwest Michigan in the normal range, but
the 8-14 day outlook is suggesting an increase of temperatures to above normal.

Commodity reports

Wheat growth continues to be ahead of schedule, although growth
rate has slowed. My reference field at home is still at Feeke’s Stage 7
(second node just visible). Leaf disease pressure is light at this point. Each
year, we have a few growers that plant second crop of soybeans following wheat.
If the wheat crop continues to progress ahead of schedule, this might be a good
year to try this. The earlier the soybeans are planted the better. Wheat
harvest around the last week of June to the first week of July is the most
optimal. Irrigation to ensure rapid germination and emergence is also a big
help. The southern counties have the best track record of being able to
producing second crop soybeans.

Second crop beans

Alfalfa growth has
slowed considerably following frosts and cold temperatures. You can find
alfalfa weevil larvae in a good number of fields, but damage is well below
threshold levels in fields that I have walked. Thresholds
pre-harvest are 40 percent of stems damaged, plus live larvae present.

Corn and soybeans. Planting
continues for both corn and soybeans. Progress for commercial corn may be in
the 20 to 30 percent range in St. Joseph County. Lots of questions continue
about the impact of cold soil temperatures at the time of planting. The southwest
regional report on April 19 discusses some of the implications. Some of the
earliest planted corn has emerged. I have not seen soybeans emerged yet in fields
I have driven past.

We have four
black cutworm wing traps up in southern and central Van Buren County with only
one moth caught at this time. Purdue reports that southern Indiana had record
moth catches in late March. I am still concerned that the strong push of warm
wind from the south around April 15 may have moved moths into our area.
Populations can be very localized and hard to find with the few traps we have.
Fields that had winter annual weeds around April 15 could be susceptible to
infestations. Growers should be aware that moths might have made their way to
Michigan in late March. This is a pest to keep in your mind early this season.
I would also caution growers to keep an eye out for unusual numbers of white
grubs as tillage and planting operations are conducted. Asiatic garden beetles
are on the increase throughout southwest Michigan, and have caused widely
scattered stand losses severe enough to force re-planting in a few fields.

Stand diagnostics. As
we begin walking fields evaluating stands, there are several things we can look
for to help diagnose problems. Last season we saw a lot of uneven emergence in
fields. This can occur because of variable soil moisture levels, soil
temperatures and uneven seed placement depth. Poor seed to soil contact (clods,
partially open seed channel) as well as sidewall compaction of seed channel can
also be factors. Soil insects can also cause challenges. Wireworms (mostly on
fields rotated from sod) and seed corn maggots (usually less of a problem since
we have insecticide-treated seeds) can feed on seed before or shortly after
germination. Crusting can cause challenges with emergence, and can lead to
seedling leafing out underground. Cold soil temperatures can also cause
seedlings to leaf out underground or exhibit the corkscrew symptoms.

As frost and freeze
advisories are still in the forecast over the upcoming weekend, we could still
be in for more damage to early emerged corn. The growing point is well below
the soil surface, but repeated exposure to cold temperatures can take a toll on
seedlings.

West
Central Michigan – Fred Springborn, Michigan State University Extension

West Central Michigan

Weather

Rain showers on April 15-16 yielded over an inch of rain and
somewhat lighter showers again on April 20 slowed field work in the past two
weeks. Field work on most farms is far ahead of normal due to the generally dry
conditions this spring. A good deal of spring tillage has already occurred and
as soon as soils warm back up, planting progress should occur very rapidly. At
the 2-inch level, low soil temperatures are in the mid- to low 40s°F at Entrican and Fremont,
Mich. High air temperatures are in the 50s to low 60s with lows dipping into
the high 20s to mid-30s most nights.

In pheromone traps this week we are catching low levels of
armyworm moths, one per trap, and so far have not caught any black cutworm
moths. Both of these pests are migratory and arrive in the state by being blown
in on storm fronts – they do not overwinter in Michigan. Even though I am
catching low numbers in my traps, scouting will still be necessary for these
pests as populations can vary greatly from one location to another.

High winds have caused some significant wind erosion on a
number of fields in the region. Fields that have seen the most erosion and
blowing soil are coarse-textured soils that had no cover crop in place. While
generally dry soil conditions are a contributing factor, there is a notable
difference in erosion on fields with no cover crop, and those where a cover
crop existed. Even where the cover crop had been killed or tilled into the
soil, or where crop residue is present, far less soil erosion has been
observed.

Bare field with no cover crop and very little crop residue in
Montcalm County.

Crops

Corn planting is
underway, but many producers are recognizing it is still early on the calendar
and are waiting for warmer soil temperatures and weather.

Alfalfa is
variable in growth and frost and freeze injury. It is time to start scouting
for alfalfa weevil.

Wheat is in Feekes
6 with some fields in Feekes 7. Leaf diseases are minimal at this time. We are
seeing a number of fields with burned leaf tips in some cases from low
temperatures and frost and freeze injury, and in other cases from fertilizer
burn.

Oat stands are
generally good with many in Feekes stage 5.

Sugarbeets are
emerging with generally good stands. Wind damage is evident in some fields.

Central Michigan

Weather

Areas of the region received over an inch of much needed
rain in the past two weeks. Soil moisture is still considered short on many of
the lighter soils for this time of year. Soil temperatures are beginning to
creep up to near 50 degrees. The region is still experiencing below freezing
temperatures on many mornings. The cool temperatures have limited crop growth.
The warmer weather predicted next week along with the calendar will get the
planter rolling.

Commodity reports

Corn planting is
well underway in the south parts of the region and just getting started in the
north. With the warm weather expected next week, everyone will be planting and
taking advantage of good field conditions. It is expected that the crop will be
planted very fast this year because most tillage is already completed. It is
estimated that about 10 percent of the crop is planted.

The wheat cropis in Feeke’s growth stage 6-7. The
crop is recovering from several frosty mornings. Most of the herbicide and
nitrogen applications have been made. Many fields show yellowing and less than
ideal color. Much of this is due to cool temperatures. We still have many
variable stands. Warm weather should bring most fields around. Yield potential
is still considered very good at this time.

Oats are all planted
and most have emerged. Some frost damage has been observed, but last week’s
rain and warmer weather is helping the crop recover. Alfalfa seeded with oats
is emerged and doing great.

Alfalfa has
recovered from the frost-damaged tips of two weeks ago. Growth has slowed
because of the cool temperatures. Fields should be scouted for alfalfa weevil.
There are no reports of weevil at this time.

, Michigan State University Extension | In 2015, MSU Extension conducted over 290 field crop programs, reaching approximately 6,600 farmers and agribusiness professionals from 71 counties across the state.